Microfinance Focus April 28, 2011: Citi Community Development and the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) recently announced partnership to open a Small Business Center of Excellence, which will serve the low- to moderate-income business community of Greater Dallas.

The Center will provide capacity-building products and services comprising of resources, training and networking support to minority owned businesses, with focus on small and medium-size business segments.

Citi and Citi Community Development are supporting this initiative with a three-year, $480,000 commitment. The GDHCC will launch a ‘needs assessment’ survey focusing on minority-owned businesses.

The Small Business Center of Excellence will provide technical assistance, consulting and educational resources to small and medium-sized businesses of Greater Dallas. This will be done by delivering services that enable the growth of successful businesses, the membership, and the business community.

In addition, the Center will provide products and services that maximize the ability of GDHCC clients to access capital, locally and globally, as well as offer procurement and workforce development opportunities. Citi will also mentor local entrepreneurs and provide training on financial products and access to credit, including the development of business packages. The Center will sponsor business development and practices sessions, where GDHCC client business owners will learn from subject matter experts and from each other.

The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) develops, promotes and protects Hispanic businesses in the Greater Dallas area and supports the advancement, education and economic growth of the Hispanic business community.

Citi, is a global financial services company, with approximately 200 million customer accounts and business reach in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Through Citicorp and Citi Holdings, Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with financial products and services.

Citi Community Development (CCD) offers access to financial products and services, and builds sustainable business solutions and partnerships. Its focus areas include commercial and philanthropic funding, financial products and services; and collaborations with institutions that provide access to financial products and services for low-income and underserved communities.